Top 25 Northern California Coast high school football rankings (9/26/2023)

Seven of the top 10 teams remain undefeated including No. 1 Serra which opens West Catholic Athletic League play in impressive fashion

If they haven't hit midseason yet, they will this week. 

The Northern California Coast — combining four NorCal sections (North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco and Oakland) — is well established at the end of September. 

Seven of the top 10 teams are still perfect, a combined 31-0. There were no big surprises last week and with league play getting in full swing this week, likely few big shockers will continue. 

A couple big intersection games tame place this week, headed the NCS juggernaut and No. 4 Pittsburg traveling to No. 9 Los Gatos, a regular CCS powerhouse. De La Salle, which hasn't lost a NCS game since 1991, hosts dominating Oakland Section power, McClymonds. 

California football scores Sept. 28-30: NCS | CCS | SFS | OS

1. Serra (4-0)

Previous rank 1. Last week: def. Sacred Heart Cathedral, 61-0

There appears to complacency or resting on one's laurels after the Padres scored at least two touchdowns in every quarter at Kezar Stadium last week. Virtually got in the act for the Padres, including two TD runs by Nano Latu, while quarterback Maealiuaki Smith ran and threw for a score.

Next game: Saturday vs. Saint Francis

Danny Niu, a San Diego State commit, is one of four four-year players for the Padres who starts on defense. Photo: Dennis Lee

2. De La Salle (3-2)

Previous rank 2. Last week: def. Folsom, 14-7

After two disappointing losses, the Spartans have won three straight, largely going back to their old-school grind it out, play stellar defense style of football. Junior tailbacks Derrick Blanche Jr. and Dominic Kelley are both elusive and run strong between the tackles. The defense, led by Drew Cunningham, has looked stout against some high-powered offenses. 

Next game: Friday vs. McClymonds

3. San Ramon Valley (5-0)

Previous rank 3. Last week: def. Liberty-Brentwood, 66-12

The Wolves don't want a break now, not after thumping a good Liberty squad behind a big performance by senior Luke Baker, who some have compared to a high school version of Drew Brees. A great leader and pinpoint passer, Baker completed 19 of 29 for 364 yards and five touchdowns, two each to Marco Jones (3 catches, 94 yards) and Owen Scott (5, 100,). Baker ranks second in the North Coast Section in passing yards (1,506) to go along with 18 touchdowns. 

Next game: Oct. 6 at Clayton Valley

4. Pittsburg (4-0)

Previous rank 4. Last week: Idle

The Pirates have had two impressive blowout wins, and then found a way not to fall in two close wins. They'll have the Bay Area's Game of the Week Friday against a team led for 36 years by Butch Cattolico, who was raised and starred as a quarterback at Pittsburg High School. The two programs have never met,  

Next game: Friday at Los Gatos

Elijah Bow (25), a junior running back, gained more than 1,000 yards last season as a sophomore. Photo: Joe Bergman

5. Marin Catholic (5-0)

Previous rank 5 Last week: def. Bishop O'Dowd, 52-0

He's only a sophomore, but quarterback Caedon Afsharipour is playing beyond his years. In the win, he needed just 15 attempts to throw for 182 yards and five touchdowns. Third-year starting RB/DB Charles Williams is having monster senior year with 528 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns to go with 17 tackles and three interceptions. 

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Tamalpais

6. Valley Christian (4-0)

Previous rank 8. Last week: def. Bellarmine, 23-7

The defense continues to dominant, having given up just 18 total points the last three wins. Saturday's game will pit two teams loaded with big, physical, recruitable lineman, including Valley's Christian's Camp Taulealea (6-3, 335) and Rayne Mayo Jr. (6-2, 285).

Next game: Saturday at Riordan

7. San Marin (4-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: def. Archie Williams, 49-7.

After a couple of competitive wins, the Mustangs have outscored Moreau Catholic and Archie Williams by a combined count of 98-7. In the win over Archie Williams, senior QB Dominic Ingrassia played one half and completed 16 of 22 for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Blake Hart (7 catches, 140 yards) and Wesley Timmel (5, 77) caught two touchdowns each.

Next game: Friday at San Rafael

8. McClymonds (2-1)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Idle

Sitting around for two weeks, stewing over a four-touchdown loss to San Ramon Valley can work a couple ways for the Warriors, who have never played the Spartans. They also have on eight games scheduled in 2023. 

Next game: Friday at De La Salle

9. Los Gatos (3-1)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Idle

The Wildcats have had two blowout wins and been involved with two one-point games, beating Liberty-Brentwood, 35-34 and losing to Grant-Sacramento (22-21). Los Gatos has played two quarterbacks, AJ Minyard (36 of 52, 527 yards, eight TDs) and junior Scotty Brennan (13 of 26, 127 yards), the son of San Jose State coach Brent. 

Next game: Friday vs. Pittsburg

10. El Cerrito (5-0)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: def. Vacaville, 24-16

Down 16-12 heading into the fourth quarter, the Gauchos rallied behind two touchdown passes from Michael Vanhook, one each to Kamani Jackson and Zion Shelton. Jackson is a 3-star cornerback committed to Washington State, but he does it all for El Cerrito.

Next game: Oct. 7 at Bethel

The rest

11. Riordan (3-1)
12. St. Francis (2-2)
13. Cardinal Newman (5-0)
14. Wilcox (2-2)
15. St. Ignatius (2-2)
16. Windsor (2-1-1)
17. Clayton Valley Charter (2-2)
18. California (3-2)
19. Campolindo (2-1-1)
20. Mitty (3-1)
21. Christopher (5-0)
22. Rancho Cotate (3-1)
23. Redwood (4-0)
24. Hillsdale (4-0)
25. Amador Valley (3-2)

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